DONOVAN: Christmas a bit more organized this year

Our Christmas this year required a chart. Posted on the refrigerator and divided by day, date and individual, it noted comings and goings of various household members, so we could plan meals, juggle sleeping arrangements and schedule activities. We had to account for grown children arriving at different times from far-flung l...

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Uticaod

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Posted Dec. 29, 2013 at 12:01 AM

Posted Dec. 29, 2013 at 12:01 AM

Our Christmas this year required a chart. Posted on the refrigerator and divided by day, date and individual, it noted comings and goings of various household members, so we could plan meals, juggle sleeping arrangements and schedule activities.

We had to account for grown children arriving at different times from far-flung locales; a new girlfriend and visits/meals with her family; elderly parents coming by train, and work schedules for the oldest and youngest women in our clan.

One son's blocks were Xed out for a friend's wedding on New Year's Eve; for my dad, one afternoon was marked "model train show."

The best boxes of all were those labeled simply: "Home." There were fewer of those than we'd hoped, but enough to ensure that on multiple occasions, everyone in the immediate family, plus a few special guests, were together in one place at the same time.

As our children have grown and our nest has (nearly) emptied, we're finding roles changing. I've lost my job as primary Stocking Stuffer; our high school senior took over this year (I snuck in a few extra treats when she wasn't looking).

Even Thanksgiving had a twist: We were not allowed near the stove nor the sink as our middle child feted us with a Cajun-spiced turkey and mashed potatoes from scratch. And then did all the cleaning up.

And throughout this truncated, but jolly season, we gladly donned special buttons offered by our ad manager, which read: "It's OK to say Merry Christmas to me."

Turns out, a lot of people feel the same way. It was remarkable and heartwarming as bank clerks and cashiers and folks at the deli and others smiled and said "thank you" in response. Clearly it's perfectly OK to say Merry Christmas.

We are blessed to live in a community that respects and celebrates the many different paths to God.

But this particular season is Christmas, when Christians mark the birth of our Savior. For believers, it is wrong to neutralize this sacred time of year with a generic "happy holiday" greeting.

And so I offer a Merry Christmas to all those for whom this is a special observance.

And for everyone, happy new year. Here's hoping 2014 is filled with all good things, health, prosperity and human kindness.

Donna Donovan is publisher of the O-D and uticaod.com. Contact her at 792-5002, or at ddonovan@uticaod.com